Army cyber specialists are set to benefit from modern accommodation and purpose‑built training facilities following the announcement of a £279 million investment at Duke of Gloucester Barracks in Gloucestershire.
The contract, signed today, will deliver new infrastructure for 13 Signal Regiment, the Army unit responsible for conducting defensive cyber operations. The investment will see the construction of modern technical and training buildings alongside high‑quality living accommodation, creating an environment designed to support cutting‑edge cyber capability.
The redeveloped barracks will also become home to the Army’s Cyber, Information and Security Operations Centre, which plays a crucial role in protecting military networks from cyber threats during operations, exercises and deployments both in the UK and overseas.
The announcement aligns with the Strategic Defence Review, which highlights the cyber and electromagnetic domain as central to modern warfare. In the past two years alone, the UK’s military networks have faced more than 90,000 cyber attacks from adversaries. To meet this emerging threat, the Government is also establishing a new Cyber and Electromagnetic Command, positioning the UK at the forefront of military cyber operations.
As part of the development, the project will deliver specialist technical and training facilities, along with 248 Single Living Accommodation bedspaces for personnel. In addition, 30 new Service Family Accommodation homes will be built, alongside refurbishment works to existing military housing at the site. Construction is due to begin in summer 2027, with completion expected by spring 2030, supporting the regiment’s planned move to the barracks.
Awarded by the Defence Infrastructure Organisation (DIO) to British construction firm Bovis, the contract will create 92 jobs, including opportunities for ex‑military personnel and 32 apprenticeships supported by structured training programmes. The Government says this underlines defence’s growing role as an engine for economic growth.
Luke Pollard MP, Minister for Defence Readiness and Industry, commented:
“Our Strategic Defence Review highlights how the cyber and electromagnetic domain are at the heart of modern warfare.
“We are making this significant investment to enhance the Army’s cyber capabilities while delivering an improved lived experience for Service Personnel, alongside new homes for Service Families.
“Creating dozens of jobs, the work will also back local industry and demonstrates defence as an engine for growth.”
The project is also expected to deliver significant benefits to the local economy. A quarter of total spending will go to businesses within 50 miles of the site, with the same proportion of the on‑site workforce recruited locally. In addition, 40% of off‑site manufacturing will take place within 40 miles, and 25% of overall spending will be directed to small and medium‑sized enterprises.
The investment forms part of the Ministry of Defence’s Defence Estate Optimisation (DEO) Portfolio, which is delivering modern, sustainable infrastructure to meet future operational requirements while improving the day‑to‑day lived experience of Armed Forces personnel.
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